Whitlingham Country Park

Norfolk > United Kingdom

With a wide variety of habitats and common bird species on offer, Whitlingham is easily accessible and offers a great escape for city-based birders.

Geplaatst* door Drew Lyness
Meest recente update 19 december 2021

Beschrijving

Whitlingham Country Park is owned and managed by the Whitlingham Charitable Trust, and consists of two lakes, Great Broad and Little Broad (both created by former gravel extraction) with the River Yare running parallel alongside. There is also a stand of mixed deciduous woodland and a small area of marshland on the south-east side of the park. The site has a Visitor Centre with a café and toilet facilities available. The paths round the park are well maintained, and suitable for birders of all abilities, although the paths can get muddy in some spots in winter. There are also bikes for hire at the Visitor Centre, which could make your travel around the site more exciting. In all seasons, the site hosts wetland birds including IJsvogel , Fuut , Aalscholver, Knobbelzwaan and Nijlgans. A search around the woodland may reveal Grote Bonte Specht, Taigaboomkruiper, Goudhaan and a variety of common garden birds. Listen out for Cetti's Zanger calling loudly around the lake margins too.

Winter is considered by birders as the best time to visit. Large flocks of diving duck can be seen on Great Broad (the largest lake) including Kuifeend accompanied by smaller numbers of Tafeleend and Brilduiker. In colder periods, lucky birders may find Grote Zaagbek, Nonnetje or Topper, all of which are seen at Whitlingham most winters. A secretive Roerdomp may also be hiding in the reeds on the northern edge of the lake. Dabbling ducks prefer Little Broad, where Krakeend, Slobeend and Wintertaling are usually present. The alder trees lining the lakes are a fantastic place to search for wintering flocks of Sijs and Kleine Barmsijs.

Spring sees warblers returning to the park, and the woodland fills with the sound of Tjiftjaf, Zwartkop and Tuinfluiter. The lake margins may be visited by returning waders including Oeverloper and Scholekster, while Visdief and large numbers of hirundines including Oeverzwaluw and Boerenzwaluw may be feeding over the water. Following heavy rainfall in April, scarcer species such as Noordse Stern, Dwergmeeuw and Zwarte Zee-eend may also be found on the lakes, while Zwarte Stern are annual visitors for brief periods in May. Listen out for calls of Koekoek across the park.

Summer and autumn can be a quieter time for birding at Whitlingham, but expect large numbers of Grauwe Gans on Great Broad in July and August, and keep your eyes to the skies for Boomvalk and Gierzwaluw feeding on the flying insects over the lakes. Occasionally, Bruine Kiekendief will drift over the park from other areas of the Yare Valley, and Mandarijneend may also be encountered. The reedbeds may be filled with the chatter of Kleine Karekiet. In September and October, keep an eye out for thrushes including Koperwiek and Kramsvogel, as well as returning wildfowl.

Details

Toegang

Whitlingham Country Park is only two miles from Norwich city centre, and can be reached easily by car, bike or on foot from any bus stop near Trowse. There are large pay and display car parks near the visitor centre, as well as racks to lock up your bike safely if cycling to the site. More details can be found on the Whitlingham Country Park website.

Taking the circular walk around Great Broad is recommended at all times of the year (especially winter), while a walk around the woodland may be warrented in spring. A scope is not necerssary, but may help when scanning though flocks of diving ducks or gulls in the winter.

Terrein en leefgebied

Bos , Wetland , Rivier , Meer , Stad/dorp

Omstandigheden

Vlak

Rondlopende wandeling mogelijk?

Telescoop meenemen?

Kan handig zijn

Wanneer hier vogels kijken?

Winter , Lente

Toptijd voor dit gebied

Winter , Lente

Route

Breed pad

Zwaarte wandeling

Gemakkelijk

Toegankelijk via

Te voet , Fiets

Vogelkijkhut aanwezig?

Nee

Extra info

Whitlingham Country Park is popular with families, dog walkers, fishermen and watersports enthusiasts. Therefore, the park can be very busy, especially during weekends or on warm sunny days. For birders, it is recommended that they visit in the mornings and evenings to avoid the most likely times for disturbance by other activites.

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